There has been some excitement about a project where workers at Rothamsted have successfully used GM technology to encourage greenhouse-grown Camelina plants to incorporate omega-3 fish oils into their seeds (http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/alpha-omega-making-omega-3-fish-oils-gm-plants). Somewhat remarkably, there appears to have been very little by the way of a negative response from the anti-GM lobby. Although the oils could be extracted to supplement human diets (and reduce the need to get the same materials from fish), a more likely use, according to the scientists (involving Sterling University), is to see whether the seeds could replace some of the fish meal that is fed to their bigger cousins in fish farms. The argument is that this would reduce some of the pressures on our oceans and make fish farming even more sustainable. Having said that, quite a lot of fish meal is used as fertiliser for plant crops!
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday 8 July 2015
Fish Farming Landed?
There has been some excitement about a project where workers at Rothamsted have successfully used GM technology to encourage greenhouse-grown Camelina plants to incorporate omega-3 fish oils into their seeds (http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/alpha-omega-making-omega-3-fish-oils-gm-plants). Somewhat remarkably, there appears to have been very little by the way of a negative response from the anti-GM lobby. Although the oils could be extracted to supplement human diets (and reduce the need to get the same materials from fish), a more likely use, according to the scientists (involving Sterling University), is to see whether the seeds could replace some of the fish meal that is fed to their bigger cousins in fish farms. The argument is that this would reduce some of the pressures on our oceans and make fish farming even more sustainable. Having said that, quite a lot of fish meal is used as fertiliser for plant crops!
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